Celebrating Black History Month: Leon and Michael Spinks
No brothers from the United States have had greater success boxing than Leon and Michael Spinks. They were worlds apart in personality and demeanor, but when it came to the ring, they were shooting stars—each exploding onto the scene with gold medals in the 1976 Olympics: Leon at 178 pounds, and Michael at 165.
Celebrating Black History Month: Joe Louis
No one spent more time as the heavyweight champion of the world than Joseph Louis Barrow. Reigning from June 22, 1937, when he beat James Braddock, until 1949, Joe Louis defended the title an astonishing 25 times.
Celebrating Black History Month: Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion of the world in 1908 when he stopped Tommy Burns in the 14th round in Sydney, Australia. This came after he had held the “colored” heavyweight title for five years, and defended it 17 times.
